Wait Listed for Early Dining Question

[zorrosuncle]

Greetings -- I am waitlisted for early dining in the Rotterdam in January. At three days ago, I was number 52. Will I get it? I can't eat late at night -- I don't sleep well, and I am used to an early rising, and I don't want to eat at a buffet by myself every night for thirty days.

ZU

[tangerinebunny]

I was told by HAL that after final payment (which you won't have reached yet, right?), that some waitlisted people will be added.

If you've agreed to go to any size table and there's only one of you, sounds like you have a really good chance of getting something.

If things fail to go your way, why not stop by the dining room when you board and ask what options you have?

Things are seldom as bad as they sound and when they are, we cope.

[zorrosuncle]

Greetings -- I am paid in full at this time. I hope I get it. Personal cruise consultant doesn't think it will be much of a problem, but told me to call back at 30 day mark.

ZU

[RuthC]

You're a solo cruiser? Traveling alone? This should be an easy placement. HAL has only to find a single seat, which sometimes can be done by adding a place to a large, round table. You might leap over others on the waiting list just because your party is smaller.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I see absolutely no reason that you should not be given the early dining time.

It is very easy to seat one person at a table -- any size -- as compared to 2 people.

I would check every month.

If you aren't confirmed by the time you sail -- and once you check your ID card at check-in at the pier -- if you still do not have your early fixed dining time -- check your Explorer daily program -- which will be given to you when you check in at the pier -- to see the time and place to meet with the dining room manager.

[fleckle]

Greetings -- I am waitlisted for early dining in the Rotterdam in January. At three days ago, I was number 52. Will I get it? I can't eat late at night -- I don't sleep well, and I am used to an early rising, and I don't want to eat at a buffet by myself every night for thirty days.

ZUAnother possibility would be to select the open dining option. That way you can have dinner in the dining room at whatever time you like each evening. It gives you a lot more flexibility as you can either make a reservation for a specific time in advance, or just show up.

Ask to be seated at a large or medium sized table if you want to dine with others. You get to meet many more people at dinner that way.

If you like the people you meet, you can arrange to eat together again on other nights, or sit with different people on different nights, as you wish.

[eh2zed]

Everything is in your favour that you will get early.

[tangerinebunny]

"The date for final payment' is the date that cruisers who have made a down payment on a cruise but aren't really going to go often back out.

So it's the date the cruise line has a better idea of who's actually sailing.

It's then that they can redo the dining lists, and often assign cabins or lower prices, whatever they need to do. (This was explained to me by a HAL rep when I asked when we might get off the late dining waiting list for our next cruise.)

So, are you really Zorro's uncle?

[GeriatricNurse]

[quote=zorrosuncle;30782604]Greetings -- I am waitlisted for early dining in the Rotterdam in January. At three days ago, I was number 52. Will I get it? I can't eat late at night -- I don't sleep well, and I am used to an early rising, and I don't want to eat at a buffet by myself every night for thirty days.

Why not eliminate all the worries about being waitlisted to dine in the MDR & choose instead to enjoy a leisurely dining experience in either the Lido, Canaletto or Pinnacle Grill (where one does have to be concerned about being "waitlisted"! ;)

[Globaliser]

Another possibility would be to select the open dining option.Am I right in thinking that changing from fixed to open is never a problem, even after you board? If so, then the OP could simply wait until they get on board, and only then change to open if the waitlist hasn't cleared.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Am I right in thinking that changing from fixed to open is never a problem, even after you board? If so, then the OP could simply wait until they get on board, and only then change to open if the waitlist hasn't cleared.

Yes, that sounds like the best strategy. It seems that it's easy to get into open seating, so no need to make that decision now.

We were given open seating despite booking more than a year out and asking for assigned seating. My TA was unable to get them to change it. We had asked for early seating, large table. Our "custom itinerary" shows us having "open seating, 8 person table requested" I didn't think you could request a table size in advance if you have open seating.

[RuthC]

Am I right in thinking that changing from fixed to open is never a problem, even after you board?
To say "never" a problem may be a bit of a stretch sometimes, as it isn't always possible. But I do agree that, especially in the case of a solo passenger, it's a really good back-up plan.

[zorrosuncle]

Greetings -- When I originally posted on Sept. 29, I was number 52 on the waitlist. Now On Oct. 28, I am number 48. I am getting some very bad vibes over this. Frankly,the idea of eating cafeteria style in a buffet line on a 31-day cruise is only slightly better than doing it on our beloved Staten Island Ferry -- and I think the frankfurters are better on the ferry. I really would like to get waited on for once, instead of waiting on myself.


People tell me that as a solo cruiser, I should have no worries over this, because it is easier to place a single than a couple; but I believe they might be holding some of those remaining spots for those anytime diners that choose that option since they started offering it. If they offered one of those spots to a solo, then they would't be able to place a couple -- they would have to find another solo cruiser to fill the table.

I just can't believe that every single solo spot in the dining area is gone, as well as every early dining spot.

ZU

[LADYLAYLA]

Greetings -- When I originally posted on Sept. 29, I was number 52 on the waitlist. Now On Oct. 28, I am number 48. I am getting some very bad vibes over this. Frankly,the idea of eating cafeteria style in a buffet line on a 31-day cruise is only slightly better than doing it on our beloved Staten Island Ferry -- and I think the frankfurters are better on the ferry. I really would like to get waited on for once, instead of waiting on myself.


People tell me that as a solo cruiser, I should have no worries over this, because it is easier to place a single than a couple; but I believe they might be holding some of those remaining spots for those anytime diners that choose that option since they started offering it. If they offered one of those spots to a solo, then they would't be able to place a couple -- they would have to find another solo cruiser to fill the table.

I just can't believe that every single solo spot in the dining area is gone, as well as every early dining spot.

ZU


Being waitlisted for Early fixed dining does not mean there are no spaces in the dining room, nor that you will have to eat in a bufffet line every night for 31 nights. It just means at this point Early fixed dining is not available, if you do not get early fixed, you most likely will be assigned open seating in the dining room vs fixed.

(And btw the Lido for dinner is not below Staten Island ferry hot dogs)

[howard6933]

Greetings -- When I originally posted on Sept. 29, I was number 52 on the waitlist. Now On Oct. 28, I am number 48. I am getting some very bad vibes over this. Frankly,the idea of eating cafeteria style in a buffet line on a 31-day cruise is only slightly better than doing it on our beloved Staten Island Ferry -- and I think the frankfurters are better on the ferry. I really would like to get waited on for once, instead of waiting on myself.


People tell me that as a solo cruiser, I should have no worries over this, because it is easier to place a single than a couple; but I believe they might be holding some of those remaining spots for those anytime diners that choose that option since they started offering it. If they offered one of those spots to a solo, then they would't be able to place a couple -- they would have to find another solo cruiser to fill the table.

I just can't believe that every single solo spot in the dining area is gone, as well as every early dining spot.

ZU

It aggravates me when I hear about people being waitlisted for a dinner sitting. I booked the Westerdam in May of this year for the cruise of December 11th. When I got a receipt for the deposit I saw that we were waitlisted for first sitting. I immediately called my travel agent and complained about this. Booking a cruise seven months before sailing and getting waitlisted????.......that is unacceptable. I told my travel agent if I don't get first sitting I was tempted to cancel the cruise and I told her to let HAL know about that. Guess what.......a few days later I was informed that we were confirmed for early siitting.
Stick to your guns and scare them by telling them you demand early sitting "or else". I don't think they would like anyone sailing opn a 31 day cruise to be jerked around and perhaps decide to switch to another cruise line. Good luck and let us know how you make out. ;)

[ehschief]

How do you find out what number you are on the waitlist?

[dalebo]

We requested early dining but did not get it on our last trip on the Noordam... Oct. 5-15.
We were on the anytime dining and it worked out well. We could eat early and late and requested a table for four and we really enjoyed the people we met.

So if you don't get, learn to loeve it and ask for a table for four!

Also reserve a few nights in the Canellto.... if your ship has it. It is an Itallian restaurant and it was great!

[lorekauf]

There was a time that I wouldn't book a cruise if I couldn't get early traditional. I booked one cruise 16 months out so I could get it. I don't think that going on a wait list is the best idea if this is important to you. I always said this would be a deal breaker for me. I changed jobs last year and had to cancel and rebook cruises and I wasn't able to get traditional on either one. I wanted to do those cruises so I sucked it up. I should also mention that I'm a solo cruiser. I've done a total turn around on traditional dining. I'm WAY more likely to book open now. I've found I really like it and gives me freedom that I enjoy. The OP may want to try it. I'm the last person that ever thought would enjoy it. Good luck!

[Boytjie]

Why not eliminate all the worries about being waitlisted to dine in the MDR & choose instead to enjoy a leisurely dining experience in either the Lido, Canaletto or Pinnacle Grill (where one does have to be concerned about being "waitlisted"! ;)

Well, the OP said: "I don't want to eat at a buffet by myself every night for thirty days." :rolleyes:

[zorrosuncle]

It aggravates me when I hear about people being waitlisted for a dinner sitting. I booked the Westerdam in May of this year for the cruise of December 11th. When I got a receipt for the deposit I saw that we were waitlisted for first sitting. I immediately called my travel agent and complained about this. Booking a cruise seven months before sailing and getting waitlisted????.......that is unacceptable. I told my travel agent if I don't get first sitting I was tempted to cancel the cruise and I told her to let HAL know about that. Guess what.......a few days later I was informed that we were confirmed for early siitting.
Stick to your guns and scare them by telling them you demand early sitting "or else". I don't think they would like anyone sailing opn a 31 day cruise to be jerked around and perhaps decide to switch to another cruise line. Good luck and let us know how you make out. ;)

I think my "or else" option could be a default on my entire cruise cost even though I have the platinum cancellation plan. I booked back on Aug. 8, and was surprised to be waitlisted at that time. I need this rest of a long cruise as well because of a loss of my twin brother. I used the HAL personal cruise consultant; perhaps that is a mistake. Certainly my mariner status is not influential in spite of another booking in November of a lengthy cruise to the Amazon.

ZU

[zorrosuncle]

How do you find out what number you are on the waitlist?


I asked the personal cruise consultant.

[catl331]

RELAX! You WILL get a spot in the MDR every night, although it may not be in the Fixed (time) seating. If you don't get the Fixed, with the Open you just show up at the MDR lower level every night around 5:30 to 5:45 and you WILL be seated, especially if you are willing to join a large table.

[catl331]

... you WILL be seated, especially if you are willing to join a large table.I meant to say you will be seated quickly.

[wander]

I too need to eat early for medical reasons. When I cruise alone I love the Open Seating option. When i first decided to try it I was concerned, but now love it. I get to eat whenever I want (2 minute wait the longest I have experienced) and with interesting (usually) people. If you go about the same time each evening you will frequently get to eat with the same people, or different folks if you so wish. When cruising solo I love the flexibility Open Seating allows.

[lvz2cruz]

Does the OP realize that one floor of the dining room is fixed seating and the other level is for walk ins or those who make a reservation onboard?

You can still eat every night in the dining room. You can make a reservation up to 3 days in advance or walk up whenever you are ready to eat and be seated. It is not at all crowded until after 6:30, so if you show up at 5:30 you should be seated immediately.

You might find you prefer this because if you are in a port later in the afternoon, you do not have to hurry back to eat--you can show up any time until 9 or 9:30 in the main dining room.

I hope you don't worry but start looking forward to your cruise.

[PatsyAnne]

I'm sorry for the loss of your twin. I can't even imagine how that would feel.

A few years ago we were on a 20-day cruise with traditional dining, and the third day we decided to shift to AYW. We haven't even tried to go back. I like the flexibility of eating later if we are involved in other activities. I have rarely had to wait (it may help that I usually like to eat fairly early), and then not for long. You can call ahead and make reservations. We like to meet people, and usually ask for a table for six. On the very rare occasions when we were seated with people we didn't enjoy, we just managed to avoid them the next night. Of course, they may have been avoiding us too. :rolleyes:

[terrydtx]

Does the OP realize that one floor of the dining room is fixed seating and the other level is for walk ins or those who make a reservation onboard?

You can still eat every night in the dining room. You can make a reservation up to 3 days in advance or walk up whenever you are ready to eat and be seated. It is not at all crowded until after 6:30, so if you show up at 5:30 you should be seated immediately.

You might find you prefer this because if you are in a port later in the afternoon, you do not have to hurry back to eat--you can show up any time until 9 or 9:30 in the main dining room.

I hope you don't worry but start looking forward to your cruise.

Zorro, as this post says if you do not get the fixed dining you will be in the anytime dining in the same main dining room with the same food and service just a different level. It does not mean you will have to eat cafeteria style in the lido or anywhere else. We are in a party of 6 next month and we all opted for anytime open dining as we do not like to eat too early (5:30pm) or too late (8pm) a 5 course meal. We prefer to eat around 6:45 to 7:15 and the open anytime dining allows up to do that. Do not worry it will all work out for you.

[Cruz'n Couple]

On our last cruise last May we had fixed main seating. After two days we both came to the same conclusion that the late dining time was just not working for us. Went to dining room manager and got changed to open seating which worked great for us. Loved that we could walk in at any time during regular MDR times and be seated. We found one waiter and his assistant that we really like, so asked for their area, which made it just about like fixed seating, but it was on our schedule.

OP, you will always be able to have the MDR experience, and even if you don't have a fixed dining time, you absolutely are not relegated to the Lido!